Experience the Cradle of Human Culture routes

These sites reveal how we, as Homo sapiens, started to innovate socially, behaviourally and culturally. By following the footsteps of our early predecessors, visitors will discover how we became what we are today.

The Cradle of Human Culture includes several archaeological and palaeontological sites in the Western Cape. The three major ones are Diepkloof Rock Shelter in the Cape West Coast (Weskus), Blombos Cave and Pinnacle Point on the Southern Cape Coast. However, a trip to the Cradle of Human Culture includes more than these three sites and the development and expression of human culture can be traced across all sites.

Experience the two journeys through the Western Cape forming part of the Cradle of Human Culture. Along the Artist's Journey in the Cape West Coast (Weskus), you will discover the West Coast Fossil Park, San Rock art dotted along the Cederberg and unique guided experiences that will leave you feeling inspired. Along the Coastal Journey, you will catch a glimpse of the Cape Winelands, delving into the Cape Overberg and exploring the famous Garden Route & Klein Karoo discovering coastal caves and the underground cave wonder known as the Cango Caves.

CAPE OVERBERG R 27 N 7 N 1 N 2 62 E land s B ay Ca v e Waenshuiskrans Ca v e W i ld F l o we r s Whale Watching Cape P oi n t F al s e B a y T able B a y Sevilla Rock Art Tour Riel Dancers Franschhoek & Stellenbosch m o n u men t s Dylan Lew i s Scu lp tur e Ga r de n W e st C o a s t Na tio nal Pa r k ! K hwa tt u W e st C o a s t Fossil Pa r k Can go Ca v e s Klipgat Cave W alke r B a y Foraging at Nel so n B ay Ca v e Sti lbaa i T i da l Fish Traps Dine with locals St B la iz e Cave George Knysna Plettenberg Bay Mossel Bay Stilbaai Matjiesfontein Elandsbaai Clanwilliam L ’Agulhas Arniston/ W aenhuisk r ans Stellenbosch Franschhoek V anrhynsdorp Cape Town Robben Island IN D IAN O CE A N GARDEN ROUTE & KLEIN KAROO CAPE KAROO CAPE WINELANDS CAPE WEST COAST A TL AN T I C O CE A N P inn acle P o in t Blombos Cave D i e p kloo f Rock S hel t e r E AS TER N C A P E T able M ou n t a i n Dine w it h l oc al s Kayamandi Oudtshoorn V redenburg Langebaan NO R THER N C A P E WE S TER N C A P E E AS TER N C A P E F REE S TA T E NO R TH WE S T PR OVIN C E M PU MA L ANG A GAUTENG KWAZULU- N AT A L LIMPOPO PR OVIN C E ATLANTIC OCEAN Gansbaai Truitjieskraal Stadsaal Caves Cradle of Humankind Phillipskop Stanford